Date: February 14, 2005

Although the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) produced many statements, declaring that they had released around 20,000 prisoners, from November 2004 to January 2005 in three different stages, in fact only 86 political prisoners were included on the lists. These statements raised the hopes of many prisoners, who hoped that they would be included on the release list. Furthermore, the families of prisoners also built up their hopes that their loved ones would be released. However, in reality, the regime cunningly lied to people in a similar way to previous Burmese governments.

Improving prison conditions is an objective written on many of the regime's reports; in reality, however, abuses are still being committed, such as the beating of political prisoners by prison authorities, the supply of inadequate food, maltreatment and lack of medical care, and the re-detaining of political prisoners after they have completed their sentences.

The worst consequence is that some cases are assumed to be committed purposefully out of contempt. For example, the elected Parliament Member Dr. Than Nyein, who was in bad health, was purposefully transferred to a prison whereby there was not enough medical support - furthermore, it was on the date that he was supposed to be examined by a doctor. Likewise, the elected Parliament Member, U Aung Soe Myint, was transferred from Thayet to Insein prison where he was not provided with medical treatment. In addition, some mentally ill political prisoners have not yet been released, but are still not allowed treatment for their conditions. These facts help support the accusation that the regime purposefully commits acts of injustice.

Due to the situations mentioned above, the following political prisoners' health conditions are not only deteriorating, but often becoming life threatening. For that reason, we release this information to the International Committee of the Red Cross for
their further investigation, and also to the United Nations, governments and non-governmental organizations in order that they know the health situations of Burmese political prisoners and to support their release.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)

Appendix: Political Prisoners' Health Conditions

Appendix
Political Prisoners' Health Conditions

(1) Insein Prison
U Aung Soe Myint, the elected Parliament Member from Taungoo constituency, is now severely suffering from diabetes, heart disease and eye problems. U Aung Soe Myint was transferred from Thayet to Insein prison to be examined for his condition, but he has still not yet been treated adequately.

Dr. May Win Myint, the elected Parliament Member from Mayangon constituency is now suffering from hypertension, heart disease and cervical Spondylosis in Insein prison. Furthermore, her prison term has recently been extended by one year.

U Thet Wai, the chairperson of the National League for Democracy (Sanchaung Branch), underwent an operation at the end of 2004 for a gastric ulcer and appendicitis. His health situation is still serious because he does not receive adequate health care and has to live in halls crowded with criminal prisoners suffering from various diseases.

Saw Benson, is a political prisoner who has been serving life sentence since 1984. He is suffering from tuberculosis, and eye and liver problems. He was transferred from Thayet to Insein prison in 2003, but he has never received adequate medical treatment; therefore, his situation at present is critical. Law student, Ko Thet Naung Soe, who was imprisoned for demonstrating in front of Rangoon City Hall, is now suffering severely from mental health problems and skin diseases.

(2) Thayet Prison
U Kyi Toe, the chairperson of the National League for Democracy (Chauk Branch) is now suffering from hypertension and a gastric ulcer.
U Maung Maung Oo (63), the secretary of the National League for Democracy (Thayet Brnach), is now suffering from a gastric ulcer due to prison food, and also suffers from gout in severe weather.Ko Than Zaw, the organizer of the Youth Wing (NLD-Tanyin Branch), was wrongfully arrested and sentenced to death in 1989 by the Military Intelligence. He is now suffering from swelling of the entire body due to the torture he received during his investigation. He also suffers from eye problems and general bad health.

(3) Moulmein Prison
Ko Than Lwin was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment under the Emergency Provisions Act, Section 5 (J) and the Unlawful Associations Act, Article 17 (1) in January 1999. Since June 2004, his health condition has been deteriorating and he is now in a critical condition due to lack of proper health care.

(4)Prome Prison
Dr. Than Nyein, the elected Parliament Member from Kyauktan constituency, is now suffering from liver problems, heart diseases, diabetes and nerve problems. Instead of receiving treatment for his health, on days when he had appointments with doctors he was transferred instead from one prison to another. Furthermore, his health condition has worsened and his sentence has been extended for another year under the State Protection Law, 10 (A).

(5)Kalay Prison
Ko Aye Aung is a student who was imprisoned for 45 years in 1998. Due to essentials, such as blankets, not being provided in the severe winter weather conditions, Ko Aye Aung's malaria condition has worsened.

Ko Nay Oo, member of the National League for Democracy, is now also suffering from mental illness due to both torture and malnutrition.
Additionally, political prisoners in Kalay prison have to use balms to protect themselves from the chilling weather; prison authorities do not provide enough blankets.

(6)Mandalay Prison
Student leaders', Ko Thet Win Aung and Ko Nay Lin Soe, mental conditions are still serious. In addition, Ko Nay Lin Soe is now suffering from poor eyesight and muscle paralysis.

(7) Myitkyina Prison
Dr. Zaw Myint Maung, the elected Parliament Member from Amarapura constituency, is now suffering from low blood pressure and there are many, undiagnosed, black spots on his face.

(8) Tharawaddy Prison
U Saw Nay Don (84), chairperson of the NLD (Paukkhaung branch) is the oldest political prisoner in detention and is now suffering from hypertension.